Short track ace Justin Fontaine eyes career-best finish at Madison

OREGON, Wisc. – Ready to get back to good ole classic short track racing, ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards newbie Justin Fontaine (@driverFontaine) treks to Madison (Wisc.) International Speedway eyeing a career-best finish in Friday night’s Montgomery Ward 200.

Armed with the support of AM Racing and their development team Win-Tron Racing, Fontaine heads to the Badger State looking to shake off the disappointment of Michigan International Speedway last week, but showcase his talent in the first of a three-race short track stretch for the ARCA tour.

Last weekend in the Great Lakes state, Fontaine powered to strong practice times and even showcased a better qualifying performance at the 2.0-mile oval, but an oiled track sent the Asheville, N.C. native into the wall just seven laps into the 100 lap Corrigan Oil 200, prematurely ending his day.

Reflecting on his first Motor City experience, Fontaine is grateful for the experience, but ready to put last week in the rear-view mirror and focus out the windshield on racing under the lights Friday night.

“This Win-Tron Racing team has been able to bring some very fast race cars to the track for me to drive. Now, we just need some luck.”

“I was a little too conservative in my ARCA return at Elko Speedway earlier this month, but I’ve learned from that. Now, I’m ready to go to Madison and see what we can pull off.”

Even though he doesn’t have any prior experience at Madison’s half-mile oval, the AM Racing developmental driver will lean on Win-Tron Racing team principal Kevin Cywinski and AM Racing crew chief Bill Henderson.

“I am really gelling with my team right now,” added Fontaine, the cousin of NASCAR Truck Series driver Chris Fontaine. “Bill knows what I’m looking for in our ProMATIC Toyota and I’m able to give him the feedback he needs to make the car better. Plus, Kevin’s a veteran of Madison hailing back from his racing days. I’m really optimistic that we can practice, qualify and race in the top-10.”

“We must keep making progress,” he added. “It’s showing. I think that’s one reason we were so competitive at Michigan. Once we finish inside the top-10, we can focus on finishing inside the top-five and then winning races.”

“The team I’m with is capable of winning and I think if I’m in the right position, I can win. We just need everything to come together to make it all happen. Maybe Madison will do the trick. I’m thrilled to race in tight quarters again.”

Currently 20th in the series’ standings, Fontaine has a career best finish of 11th at Elko (Minn.) Speedway earlier this month.

While sticking with a heavy ARCA schedule for now, Fontaine’s focus is expected to turn towards the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series where he’ll compete in a limited schedule this summer in an AM Racing entry.

The Montgomery Ward 200 (200 laps / 100 miles) is the ninth of 20 races on the 2017 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. Practice begins Fri., June 23 with an hour and a half practice session planned from 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. General Tire pole qualifying is set for later in the day at 5:00 p.m. The race is set to take the green flag later in the day shortly after 8:00 p.m. The event will be broadcasted live on MAVTV, while ARCARacing.com will stream live timing and scoring throughout the week’s activities. All times are local (CT).

AM Racing is a second-year NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) team owned by entrepreneur Tim Self. Established in December 2015, AM Racing is headquartered in Mooresville, N.C. Operated by Self, a native of Austin, Texas, the team is prided on faith, honesty and intelligent performance. The team has named Austin Wayne Self, Justin Fontaine and J.J. Yeley as AM Racing drivers for 2017.

About Win-Tron Racing:

Located in Mooresville, North Carolina, Win-Tron Racing is a professional race team headquartered in “Race City USA.” Owned by former racer Kevin Cywinski, the team will compete for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards championship in 2017 with driver Gus Dean in the No. 32 GREE Toyota Camry. The team will also field a second entry in the No. 33 Toyota Camry with Justin Fontaine and others. Learn more at WinTronRacing.com or on Twitter @WinTronRacing.

ProMATIC Automation, Inc. has extensive experience in the integration of high-level automation technologies like robotics, laser, vision, and dispensing systems along with many years of combined experience in the design and machining of custom manufactured components.